Shocks
 

The last time I went wheeling (Haspin) I broke a rear shock mount. I found out later when i got home that it didn't brake from hitting something but rather the shock was too tall and acting as a "bump stop". When I came off a ledge and the rear leafs compressed the shock buckled and broke the mount. The issue i now have is that all four shocks are too tall, and they all are acting as "bump stops". I know i need to fix this but my question is how? Should I go with shorter shocks and loose some downward flex, or build some hoops and raise the top shock mount and use the same size shocks that i have now? Any input would be great. Thanks :)

What I am kind of thinking at the moment is building hoops in front and putting shorter shocks in the rear.

Take the shocks off. Flex the rear fully, and measure your fully extended length. Is it shorter than the shock you have now? If so, then you could go with a shorter shock. If not, then I would suggest reworking your shock mount setup by adding a hoop or inverting the mounts.

What do you mean by "inverting the mounts"?

Like I did on my truck. Allows you to run longer shocks without having to run big tall hoops.

http://home.4x4wire.com/adamf/88/ima...shockmount.jpg

That might be doable man, I'm just not sure how much room you have down there, all I remember is the fuel pump

Repositioning the shocks at an angle underneath may allow you to use the existing shocks and achieve the travel that you are looking for.

i like mine both to the back. sorry the for the poser pic. :D

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...spen2020-1.jpg

Inverting the shocks sounds like a sweet idea for the rear! I think it could work, i will have to check to see what i have in the way. It looks like I will still need to build hoops for the front though.

How did you mount the base of the shock to the axle? Did you just weld a bolt head to the axle?

2 plates with a hole through them both for a bolt to travel between them and the shock? Pretty simple

Get with Carwash , he can hook you up with some very good shock mounting tabs for very little $$ . easier to buy them pre-fab .

That would be great!

BINGO!

Cheap and easy way I did it. Go to your Ford dealer and buy some Ford Superduty shock mounts, part number E5TZ-18183-A They cost around $25 for the pair. Weld them directly to the frame. Kind of hard to see them in these pics, but here ya go.... (thats a 14" travel pro comp shock, front tire rubbing in the wheel well, still got travel to go. I set the shock with 7" shock exposed at ride height))



http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7...54smallan4.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5...51smallam3.jpg


Found a good pic...


http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2315/towersua3.jpg

You got a body lift on that adam?
i usually have to cut a hole in the
inner wheel well

Yea Rob....3" body lift. I forgot to add that. Could you not just lower them 3" and weld them on if you dont have a BL? I beleive I've still got some room between the towers and the body.

You actually welded the shock towers on for me! And you built and welded the rear shocks mounts as well!

Thanks 4runnerAdam, those look sweet and would be easier than hoops!